Everton will be one of the Premier League sides hit hardest by the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Toffees are expected to only lose two players for the competition next month. However, it’s the calibre of the duo that’ll impact the Merseyside outfit. In reality, they could also be without key pair Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye for the duration of the tournament.
Senegal are one of the pre-tournament favourites to go the distance. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Lions of Teranga have quality in every position. Gueye and Ndiaye are just the tip of the iceberg.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Realistically, Everton can make do without Gueye. David Moyes has cover for the 36-year-old in the middle of the park. The absence of Ndiaye is what will really hurt Moyes’ side.
Ndiaye established as Everton’s star performer
Everton have a number of key players on the books. Jordan Pickford is first-choice for club and country, and the goalkeeper is vital for the Toffees. Centre-back James Tarkowski is captain in the absence of Seamus Coleman. Jack Grealish, meanwhile, has been a revelation since his arrival from Manchester City.
Ndiaye, though, is the star for Everton. Grealish’s early-impact hogged the spotlight yet it’s the former who has emerged as their key man. The Toffees are hardly the most dominant side in the division. Their 45% possession is the fifth-lowest in England’s top tier. Even so, they rank seventh for completed take-ons (78) in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
The 25-year-old is largely responsible for that number being so high. Only Jeremy Doku and Mohammed Kudus (both 34) have completed more take-ons than Ndiaye (27) in the Premier League this season. The wideman is responsible for 34.62% of Everton’s overall haul. For context, Grealish (14) ranks second for this metric for Everton. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (10) is the only other player to achieve double figures for the club.
Toffees man thrives in the final third
For an Everton side that infrequently attacks through the middle, preferring to focus their efforts down the flanks, Ndiaye’s impact is huge. To lose a player of his calibre for Afcon will severely hinder their chances of securing a top-half finish. Not only does he provide a wide threat, Ndiaye has the end product to really hurt opponents.
Only Grealish (23) has created more chances from open play than Ndiaye (14) in the Premier League this season. While the assists haven’t flowed — he has just one to his name — Ndiaye is able to routinely find a teammate after beating a man.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
What really stands out though is how prolific Ndiaye has proven in the Premier League. Indeed, of the 95 players to have managed at least 10 shots, the Everton man has the third-best conversion rate (33.3%). Having finished last season as the Toffees’ top scorer, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the winger outscore his teammates again.
Off-ball work also key
It’s not only Ndiaye’s work on the ball that is crucial, however. His 28 tackles is more than any other attacking player and ranks 12th in the Premier League this season. This tenacity out of possession enables Ndiaye to force turnovers in dangerous areas of the pitch.
Defenders struggle once under pressure from Ndiaye, though this rings true of Everton as a collective. Only Grealish (11) has won possession in the attacking third more times than Ndiaye (10) in the Premier League this season. As a team, the Toffees (44) rank third for this metric.
No one in the Everton squad can combined the same on and off-the-ball work as Ndiaye. The player himself carries out these duties to the highest standard. It’s no wonder, then, that a number of teams across Europe have shown a liking in the former Marseille man. Moyes has previously laughed off speculation linking Ndiaye with a January move away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Given Ndiaye’s performances on Merseyside across the last 18 months, Moyes’ decision to rebuff talk of a January exit was an easy one to make. It’s for this reason may Afcon may prove both a curse… and a blessing. Everton will be robbed of their main attacking threat for a month, if not longer. However, the star forward’s spell in Morocco is likely to deter suitors.
Of course, Everton are expected to suffer in Ndiaye’s absence. Any team, no matter their stature, would struggle without their best player. As such, it could prove a tough festive period, and start to 2026, for Moyes and his men. At least they’ll be able to call upon Ndiaye once Afcon comes to a head.